Photos: Safari Cafe opens in River North

A steady trickle of African immigrants has made the Denver metro area, and Aurora specifically, a haven for quality African cuisine. But closer to downtown, and just down from the white-hot TAXI development in RiNo, is a taste of Somalia at the Safari Cafe.

Already a favorite of East African cabbies, Safari Cafe sits on a heavily industrial stretch of Brighton Boulevard and serves traditional Somali breakfast, lunch, and dinner counter service-style, with a menu that changes daily.

Traditional stews of goat, beef and fish are often represented, along with spice-laden rice dishes, Anjero flatbread (similar to Ethiopian Injera), corn Soor and meaty Sukhar.

Photos by Chris Utterback

Chicken leg with Somali rice and salad

As in many other East African restaurants, sweet and spicy black tea is served with or without milk for just a dollar, and the customary light salad and banana are provided to mix in with your meal.

The Safari Cafe opens for breakfast at 7 a.m. daily.